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- This refers to a group of rare disorders that involve a dysfunction of the small and the large intestines.
- In conditions that cause PO,
the nerves and muscles in the wall of the intestine
that normally help with moving (gut motility) digested
food material from the stomach to the rectum are often
affected (damaged). When a section of the intestine is
not contracting (muscles shortening), normal gut mobility
(in that area) is compromised and food and digested
material pile up as if there were something blocking their movement.
However, since there is nothing blocking their path, the
condition is referred to as pseudo (i.e., false)
obstruction.
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- Most commonly, a long term chronic problem with symptoms daily or intermittent
- The sections of the gut in which PO is present, can have bacterial overgrowth that may interfere with proper absorption of foods and other nutrients such as vitamins.
- Most common symptom is abdominal pain -- usually cramping or colicky (comes and goes).
- Bloated feeling as if there is excess gas in the belly
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Chronic or intermittent Constipation
- The walls of the colon (large intestine) can enlarge
and thin over years and may be in danger of rupturing
(megacolon) -- this is a surgical
emergency.
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- Symptoms
- Medications
- Surgeries
- Illnesses
- Family history
- Psychiatric history
- Habits
- Foods
- Doctor may refer you to a gastroenterologist (gut doctor).
- The abdomen may be distended.
- There may be weight loss.
- There may be signs of other diseases.
- The doctor may perform a rectal
examination using his index finger.
- Blood tests, X-Rays (abdominal series), and special procedures such as endoscopy (looking inside with a flexible camera), CAT scans, Ultrasound (pictures using sound) and Barium Enema (X-Rays after patient drinks chalky dye) are often normal or of little help.
- Best diagnosis -- done by a physician who takes a good history and does a full exam.
- Gut pressure measurement and
surgically removing a piece of the affected section
(biopsy) and looking for the underlying cause -- done in
some hospitals.
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- Treat the cause
- Avoid prolonged periods of bed rest
- Exercise regularly
- Avoid drugs
- Eat fruits, vegetables, and fish
- Limit fried greasy foods, dairy, and other animal products
- Vitamins and nutritional supplements may be helpful
- Drink plenty of fluids
- Avoid overuse of laxatives, opiates, and other drugs that constipate
- During attacks of PO:
- Eat liquid foods like soups
- Medications to reduce or stop
vomiting are helpful.
- Nasogastric tube can be placed into the stomach to allow excess gas to escape.
- Medications that increase motility such as erythromycin can be prescribed.
- Fluids -- needed if vomiting for long time
- Fluids -- given intravenously (in the blood) as needed.
- Surgical intervention is rarely
needed.
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If you have
sudden severe abdominal pain, vomit blood or vomit non-stop,
have fever or brown/dark loose stool -- contact your doctor
or call 911 immediately.
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